The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub, has expressed strong disapproval over the imprisonment of Kano-based journalist Muktar Dahiru, who works with Pyramid FM.
Dahiru was swiftly arrested, detained, and charged under questionable circumstances, leading to his incarceration for sharing content that the State government allegedly found offensive.
According to the SPJ hub, Mr. Dahiru was taken into custody by the police on Thursday, August 29, 2024, due to content he posted on his Facebook page.
Reports received by the SPJ hub indicate that “Muktar Dahiru has been remanded in prison for sharing media content that criticized state government officials, including Governor Abba Yusuf and the reinstated Emir, Lamido Sanusi.”
The reports further reveal that “Muktar Dahiru was secretly charged at Magistrate Court 24 on Gyadi Gyadi Court Road with criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, and intentional insult. The government argues that these alleged offenses violate sections 97, 391, and 115 of the Penal Code Law.”
In a statement signed by IPC spokesperson Melody Akinjiyan, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, condemned the action, stating, “This action is highly condemnable as it constitutes a despicable abuse of power.”
Mr. Arogundade also emphasized that the journalist should have been granted bail from the outset. “As it stands, it appears he’s being punished without proper trial,” he added.
